Lock switch



V. R. DESPARD Aug 3Q, 1932.

LOCK SWITCH Filed Nov. 27, 1931 Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE VIGTOR R. DESPARD, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR '1'0SYRAQU SE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF PASS & snmoua, Inc, or NEW YORKLOCK SWITCH Application filed November 27, 1931. Serial No. 577,637.

authorized persons or others not in possessi n of a proper key. v

An important feature of the inventionresides in the provision of acombination switch, i. e. one that can be manually operated by-anyonewithout the use of a key and one which, by aslight change, can beconverted into a key-operated switch.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the provision of ashield or hood adapted to be applied to the face plate of a conventionaltoggle switch having a proj ecting operating handle, together with a keyfor projection through a slot in the shield to engage said handle andoperate the same, the

shield preventing unauthorized operation of the switch. 1

. A further feature of the invention resides in the novel constructionof the key for cooperation with the operating handle of 'a switch ofthe'conventional wall toggle type,

either flush mount or surface mount.

Other and further features and objects of the invention will .be moreapparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of theaccompanying drawing and following specification, wherein is disclosed asingle exemplary embodiment of the invention with the understanding,however, that such changes and modifications may be made therein as 40fall within the scope of the appended claims,

without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a face view of a multiple switch mounted ina single gang plate and provided with two of the shields or hoods ofthepresent invention and showing a third switch arranged for manipulationwithout a key;

Figure 2 is a vertical central section 60 through a flush mounted toggleswitch with the present invention applied tliereto, wherein a singleswitch is mounted in a single gang box;

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a section on line 44 of Fig. 2, showing the manner in whichthe key engages the operating handle of the switch;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a key for use with the presentinvention; and

Figure dis a fragmentary vertical section of a wall plate showing ashield integral therewith.

It has been customary for jobbersin electrical goods to carry a line oflock switches of the type which are operated by a relatively simple keyin order to prevent unauthorized operation or tampering with lightswitches and the like in buildings of public or semipublic type, or toprovide outdoor control for show window lights and the like which can beoperated by a watchman at desired hours. The jobber must, of course,carry also the conventional line of toggle or tumbler switches for usein homes, public buildings and the like for operating the customarylights and similar appliances. In order to combine these two lines intoone, the present invention contemplates a simple attachment to beapplied to any conventional toggle switch, either of the surface mountor flush mount type, which effectively prevents unauthorizedmanipulation of the switch and which provides a simple key forcooperation with the handle ofthe switch, by passing through aperturesin the hood or shield, for controlling theswitch.

Referring now to the drawing, and first to Fig. 1, there is seen theconventional wall plate 10 of a flush mount wall switch of the so-calledtriplet type wherein three tumbler or toggle switches are mounted behinda single-gang size plate. Each switch has projecting through an aperture11 in the plate, an operating handle l2, usually of insulating material,and most often substantially rectangular in cross section, which handleis adapted t-obe rocked about an axis beneath the plate to manipulatethe switch in the well known manner.

The switch is con-' 'ventional and in the normal condition is mountedfor manipulation at will by anyone, but in order to prevent suchmanipulation, a shield or hood 13, according to the present invention,may be secured to the face plate and enclosing the handle so that accesscannot be had thereto except by a special key to operate throughsuitable openings in the hood.

The shields or hoods 13 are of such width that three of them can beapplied to a single gang plate having a triplet switch therein Thispermits them to be used in any combination of switches withoutinterfering with each other or other devices in the switch plate. FromFigs. 2 and 3 it'can be ascertained that the shields or hoods arepreferably of segmental form having the fiat sides 14, the arcuatesurface 15 connecting them and a substantially flat bottom surface 16which is open throughout most of its length. In fact the hood is a mereshell of substantially uniform thickness except for the bosses 17 at theends which are drilled and tapped as at 18 to receive screws 18' whichpass through suitable openings in the face plate '10. These holes caneither be provided as standard equipment in the plates, can be drilledas described or can be provided, in

, plates of moulded insulating material, in the covered by a thinintegument which can be form of a deep depression from the rear,

broken out quite readily when it is desired to mount a hood on theplate.

The center of the arc of the curved surface 15 is preferablycoincidental with the center 19 about which the operating handle 12 ofthe switch is pivoted.

As seen in Fig. 2, the switch 20 is of conventional form mounted bymeans of a bridge 21 in a suitable outlet box 22 to which the bridge issecured by the screws 23. The wall plate 10 is secured over the outletbox. for instance, by means of screws 24 in the conventional manner but,if desired, these screws can be made of the type which cannot bewithdrawn in order to prevent removal of the face plate and unauthorizedmanipulation of the switch handle or handles.

.The hood 13 is of such size that there is a slight clearance 27 for theend of the switch handle and clearances 28 atthe sides. This not onlypermits of accommodating slight variations in size of handles in thevarious makes and styles of switches, but gives clearance for the keywhich cooperates with the handle.

This key, as seenin Fig. 5, is formed from a simple flat blank 30 havingthe handle portion 31 and the rectangular portion 32 provided with thewings 33 which are bent up at right angles thereto and at such adistance apart as to fit snugly over the operating handle 12 of theswitch as clearly seen in Fig.4. These wings need notbe as wide as thewidth of the handle but when they are engaged over the handle with therectangular portlon 32 arranged to fit against the side thereof in theplane of movement of the switch, then the handle is loosely engaged andby manipulation of the key can be operated.

To provide for movement of the portion of the key, which is between thehandle and the rectangular end, there is provided a slot 40 in thearcuate surface of the hood of a width just slightly greater than thethickness of the material of the key. In order that the key can beinserted to engage the switch handle in either of its positions, andlikewise removed, four lateral slots 41, 42, 43 and 44 are providedextending from the slot 40 toward the longitudinal center of the curvedsurface 15 of the hood, it being appreciated that the slot 40 isapproximately in the plane of one side face of the switch operatinghandle. Slots 41 and 42 are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacebetween the win s 33 of .the key, as are also the slots 43 and Thedistance between the slots 42 and 43 depends to some extent upon the arcof swing of the switch handle.

It will be seen from Figs. 2 and 3 that the By providing the hood andkey, which can be made as attachments for any conventional manuallyoperated switch, no additional line of switches need be carried byjobbers, but any standard toggle type switch can be converted into alock switch by the simple addition of the hood and the use of the key.Portions of a multiple gang switch can be so converted and otherportions left for manipulation by anyone. In this way the total stocknecessary to be carried by the jobber is practically cut in half,effecting a great all saving ininvestment, storage space, cataloging andthe like. It will be appreciated that the hood can be made of insulatingmaterial or pressed metal, in order to conform to the material of theswitch plate and can be fastened in place either as shown by screws orby any other convenient fastening means.

In Figure 6 is shown a -modification in which the hood or shield 15 forthe switch operating handle is formed integralwith the all) wall plate10. As shown, the parts are molded of insulating material but couldequally as well be formed from metal, if desired. By

providing a wall plate with an integral hood,

the work of converting any switch to a lock type switch can beaccomplished without any I the wall plate of screws24 and replacing themin the new plate. Of course, plates can be provided to gangs, as will beappreciated.

accommodate various numbers of switches in The principles of the presentinvention may be a plied in connection with safety switches or serviceentrance work or for motor controlling switches so'that face plates withattachable or integral hoods-may be applied'to switches of these varioustypes or even the ordinary toggle switches may be used. In such casesitis desirable that the key cannot be withdrawn while the switch is..

and for this purpose two in the on position, of the lateral slots wouldbe eliminated as shown in Figure 6, leaving but those numbered 43' and44'. With this construction the key must remain in place when the switchI is on-so that control of the switch is avail- [switch cannot be ized.

-- able to anyone for v a separate coverplate and a the purpose ofshutting; it ofl". By removlng the key, however, the

closed by those unauthor- Having thus described the invention, what isclaimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is z 1. In aswitch of the toggle type having a separate cover plate and a projectingmanually operable handle, the combination therewith of-a hood adaptedto. be secured to said cover-plate to completely enclose said handle, aslot in said hood," a key adapted to pass through and operate in saidslot and means on. said key to engage the handle to move it with thekey.

2. In a toggle switch of the manually operable type having a separatecover plate and a projecting operating handle normally adapted to beoperated by the fingers, the combination therewith of a hood completelyenclosing the handle and providing space for the movement thereof, meanssecuring said hood to said cover plate, a slot in said hood for theoperation of a key shank, and a key adapt'edto pass through said slotand engage about said handle to move the same.

3. In a flush mounted toggle switch having projecting operating handleofinsulating material substantially rectangular in cross section, thecombination therewith of a hood secured to said plate and'enclosingclosely the space swept by said handle in operating the switch, thearcuate portion of said-hood having a slot therethrough and removablemeans adapted as to fit against the face plate,

" vent unauthorize its direction of movement.

operating the switch, means to secure the hood to the cover late, saidhood having a pasage for a handle engaging key.

6. An attachment for a conventional toggle type wall switch having aface plate and a projecting handle, comprising a hood topreventunauthorized operation of said handle, said hood comprising apair of flat segmental walls anda connecting arcuate wall, the open faceof the hood being of such configuration as to fit against the faceplate, attaching means to secure the hood to the face plate and a switchhandle engaging key adapted to operate through a slot in said arcuatewall.

7. Anattachment for a conventional toggle type wall switch having a faceplate and a projecting handle, comprising a hood to prevent unauthorizedoperation of said hood comprising avpair of flat segmental Walls and aconnecting arcuate wall, the open face of the hood being of suchconfiguration attaching means to secure the hood to the face plate, saidarcuate wall havinga slot therein substantially in the plane of movementof one side said handle, 1

type wall switch having a face plate and a comprising a hood topreoperation of said handle, said hood comprising a pair of flatsegmental walls and a connecting arcuate wall, the open face of thehoodbeing of such configuration as to fit against the face plate, attachingmeans to secure the hood to the face plate, said arcuate wall having aslot therein substantially in the plane of movement of one side of saidhandle and a pair of shortslots meeting the main slot and spaced apart adistance equal to the width of said handle in projecting handle:i

9. A hood to prevent unauthorized use of a flush mounted, wall type,toggle switch having a projecting operatinghandle of insulating materialand a wall. plate, said hood closely defining the space swept by theoperating handle when actuating the switch, means to secure the hood tothe wall plate, said hood being of such width that three can be mountedside by side for use with triplet switches in single gang wall plates.

10. Means to prevent unauthorized use of a toggle switch having apivoted handle, including a hood having a slotted arcuate face coaxialwith the handle pivot, and a key comprising a fiat blank havin a portionadapted to operate in said slot, a -shaped end and a lug adapted toengage said arcuate face to limit the inward movement of the key.

11. In a toggle switch of the manually operable type having a coverplate and a projecting operating handle for engagement by a the fingers,the combination therewith of a hood completely enclosing the handle andproviding space for the movement thereof, a

slot in said hood for theoperation of a key shank, and a key adapted topass through said slot and engage a-round said handle to move the same.a a

12. A wall plate for a toggle switch including a flat portion adapted toengage the wall, and an outwardly bowed portion adapted to enclose thehandle of the switch, said bowed portion being slotted for the insertionand operation of a key.

13. A switch of the toggle type having an operating handle adapted forengagement by the fingers, a cover plate for said switch through whichthe handle projects, a hood portion on said plate adapted to enclose thepath of the handle in moving from one of its positions to another, a keyto engage around said handle'to operate the same, a slot in said hoodfor the operation of the key in moving the handle, and an additionalslot to permit the insertion and removal of said key' only at oneposition of the handle.

In testimony whereof signature.

vIcToR R. DESPARD.

I hereunto affix my

